Monday, April 27, 2009

Beginning Sunday: A Weekly Revue of 1992



I was thinking way back when that I might have fun with news headlines. A montage of images, clipped news source headlines and text that highlight the week. I added artwork to tie it all together for a cohesively designed page. Visual and word puns. Satire. Subtle social glimpses. Some images were begging to be added simply because they worked in conjunction with another image or graphic. For each week, it was more about design than social commentary.

It is not an original idea, of course. I simply undertook it as a challenge. These were completed pre-computer days so all work was done by hand. Though perhaps entertainment news and personality heavy, you might find it fun to see what you remember or what you have forgotten. Some entries were for my own amusement so you will not recall every item each week.

I have posted a few slices today as teasers. Like Mike Tyson’s infamous trial and getting his head knocked off by a member of the opposite sex. The latter never really happened. Jeffrey Dahmer. Mikhail Gorbachev spot remover. The death of Alex Haley.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Converging Steel


Very chilly and windy when I sketched this in downtown Muncie, Indiana, so I stayed in my mobile studio (VW). Muncie was once a hotbed of New York Central rail traffic and for some annoyed motorists it still is today, though under a different logo. Double-track main line for CSX and two converging Norfolk Southern lines is the reason. One NSRR line heads west to Frankfort, Indiana, site of my earlier posts on 19 March.

The communication poles, rail signals and converging tracks attracted my attention. Then I noticed an old freight depot in the distance right in the middle of the scene. The old New York Central depot once stood behind the tree. You will have to go to (conveniently located 60 miles away) Indianapolis if you want a rail ticket, however. Another Muncie depot thrives on the former Chesapeake & Ohio line, but no rail ticket there either. It has been completely restored and houses an office for the Muncie Cardinal Greenway rail-trail system.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Key to All Those Relationships


Here’s a recent poster design for a local church. Dual pianist compositions were to be a part of the concert and that is the basic design element in the poster…two grand pianos head to head. The abstract keys at both ends gives the poster a solid bracket for the text to stand within.

The information is displayed in relationships. For non-designers, that means grouping words with other words that go together in a logical thought sequence. Group words so they support each other. A “free concert” is further explained by “free will offering,“ for example. For another, the time and date are dominate over the location but they definitely belong together.

Certain phrases, on the other hand, should stand alone and not have a relationship with one another. When this happens, leave a little space between phrases when appropriate. Knowing the limited text and a large vertical area to utilize, I chose the use of space between lines of text. The space act as a pause for the reader. Hence the slight pause (space) above and below the title. Of course, the point size contrast also sets the title apart from everything else.

All the white text is located in an efficient area. There is no reason to try and spread everything out the entire width. Again, because I wanted to take advantage of the vertical area available. The curves of the piano graphic transports the eye across the page. All the text is aligned to the left, adding order to a slightly complex graphic background. The original empty area to the left was solved by inserting a type graphic at right angle to everything else, adding contrast and interest to all other elements. The sideways font gives the poster a slight oriental feel, signifying the concert will be intriguing, with maybe a few surprises.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Heaven’s Light


I designed this pocket folder cover and the logo at bottom center. It was a delightful project for a group of talented, Christian musicians on the east coast. My illustration of a young child basking in heaven’s light was done in Prismacolor. Multiple layers of color are stacked on top of each other to obtain the affect.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Typography Geography


Confession. I am the poster boy for the broad sweep of generalizations. Case in point. Here is the thing about display fonts. There have always been too many display fonts available to the graphic designer. You have been there even if you are not a designer. Which toothpaste or deodorant to choose? First, just pick the best designed container. Then decide whether it is solid, gel, spray or stick, and checkout. The marketing people want you to make informed, personal decisions, though. So be careful.

Display fonts (decorative) are the fonts used in headlines, titles or outdoor signage. These differ from body text fonts in which you have several paragraphs or pages using one or two standard, legible fonts. New display fonts are created everyday, making the choices even more difficult. Some of these are quite delicious and hard to resist until you realize you may never use it on the appropriate project. An industry that thrives on quirky design or elegance of “Architectural Digest” demand unique styles. Choices do matter. That said, one of the best online font profile sources is the “Rising Stars” newsletter produced by the folks at My Fonts dot com. Check it out.

My humble design above is submitted for your generalized enjoyment.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Basic Artful Needs


Thought there might be some interest in seeing what I use to create the sketches posted here. This is strictly a personal selection and yours is too, I imagine. Let me know what you use. These tools comprise the basics.

I have a full complement of Berol Prismacolor pencils. My favorite over the Derwent “emergency” brand. The Berol has softer lead, making the colors richer and easier to control hue and intensity. Not shown, is the Design Watercolor Pencil set. The Koh-I-Noor large barrel clutch pencil is stocked with a crayon-like black lead. It is marvelous to work with and you can attain a much blacker black than a normal lead pencil, making the range of intensity greater. And it feels great on the paper. One of the few drawing tools I really get a charge out of when I take it to smooth paper!

I am a big fan of the dual point markers and a couple are pictured here. The Staedtler brand has brush and fine points, a favorite for sketching quick, more abstract, “life” subjects. Depending on the paper and subject, I like the Sharpie Twin Tip and the way it bleeds, creating spontaneous “reference starter points” giving the sketch a loose feel. Lastly, is the classic Micron pen, ideal for detail work, architectural subjects or when you want to carry only one drawing instrument. Many rave about this pen but it does tend to lack character in and of itself. But it is dependable and, though permanent, does not bleed like other markers. Sharpie has a similar archival ink product.

I have recently added the Rotring fountain pen to the work force. The drawback here is, it has to be used frequently or the nib starts to dry out.

This is not all the instruments I use but this will get the job done in the field or at home. Not shown are two sets of permanent markers by Design and Berol with dual tips for laying down base color.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Gas Pain Relief




Here is a really old sketch from Bluffton, Indiana in the hopes of cheering some of you up. Notice the gas prices. And behold, no storage shed on the courthouse! (see last week’s courthouse blog) Prices have been hovering under two dollars a gallon for some time and recently cracked two dollars here. So, in eighteen years the gas price has risen about eighty-five cents. Never mind last year’s price spike. Let us all celebrate before it is too late. Below this sketch are some more recent petrol pumpsters on a cold February day.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Rail Tails from Richmond




Some time ago I arrived in Richmond, Indiana to seek out interesting subjects. I was taken by the spark of color in this small rail yard. From the red barrels, the classic Purina checkerboard, to the green box car, I found my spot. Notice the foreground rails lead into the center of the sketch, right up to the yellow trimmed platform and the rusty barrel. Your eye moves from the foreground rails into the center and over to the Purina tower providing compositional balance and movement.

Below is a detail of overlapping marker colors that add texture. Permanent markers can give a watercolor effect when lighter or neutral colors are laid on top of one another. Be careful not to overdo it and bring every single color. A good complement of earth tones, grays, a couple of blues, a red and yellow should do until you get back home. Something that fits into a small zippered vinyl or leather case, not unlike one a banker might use, is ideal. A digital camera is a good idea if your time is a premium. Viewing later on the LCD screen probably is sufficient as a reminder of color or an important detail.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Budget Skyscraper


I will finish out the week on another architectural note. Northeast of Frankfort, Indiana is a dot on the map called Forest. This grain elevator caught my attention in part because of the aqua painted doors against the gray metal. I find grain elevators rather interesting. Sort of skyscrapers on a very tight budget. Then there are the cylindrical adjacent storage units adding contrast. I threw in a sky suggestion that coordinated with the aqua doors just for fun.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Think it Through Thoroughly




And now for something completely different. Like other small cities around the country, Marion, Indiana has been hard hit by decades of economic downturn. And although town center appears vital, with some handsome buildings, few would argue the downtown has seen better days. Many of those brick and mortar stalwarts are empty. The centerpiece, as is so often the case, is the courthouse square. The subject of today’s blog. The “lifers” of Marion will have to forgive me.

I have been amazed by the lack of historical integrity (or is it pride) of the Grant County Courthouse. Sure, fires have a way of really ruining an otherwise nice day. One such, many decades ago, destroyed the dome of this courthouse. Although I am sure there were those who tried, nothing ever came to fruition to replace it. Understandable considering Marion was a vital part in the midst of WW2. America had peoples to free and protect. Who was concerned about a dome? Could we not live without it? Besides, the courthouse was still impressive even without a dome. It still is. From a strategic angle.


Somewhere along the way all reason fell apart as these before and after images show. Comparing the top two images, (enlarge for total viewing pleasure) looking in about the same direction, the postcard being at a much higher angle, you can see what once was. Regarding the photo I recently took, you may be asking, "Why is there a metal storage shed on top the courthouse?" "Does someone work up there?" "Is lawn equipment kept inside?" “Was it deposited there from a nearby farm during a tornado?“ Considering the lack of integrated design thought, either question is legitimate. Indeed, why would anyone approve such an unsightly addition to this magnificent structure? I do not know what it’s purpose is. Well…obviously it could be housing air conditioning units. Fine. Just house it in a shape more compatible with Neoclassical architecture. Note: All architecture historians help me out here with this turn of the century style.

You will also see a dark green octagon shape behind the “shed.” Better seen in the bottom image, this could have been an asset if it were a green-tinted glass dome. But it is made of metal. Since it is in the center of the building, it must cover the hole left by the destroyed dome. The color goes in the right direction, though.

Finally, compare the bottom two images again. Both show the same side of the building, yet viewed from opposite ends. The original square sported a park-like setting but “someone” (the group known as, “They“) has decide that wooden park “shelters” would go nicely with the period architecture. No doubt a thoughtful idea, it has gone terribly wrong.

Bad design decisions haunt forever. Especially when you are working with metal or stone. Those materials generally last a long, long time.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

An Algorithm for Logo Rhythm


Another logo, this time done in Illustrator, centers around the human figure. Each figure connects to another, symbolizing the purpose of this small group ministry of young adults. The single white figure balances with the orange and green figures, while all three thrust downward towards the title font. There is a philosophy, not chiseled in stone mind you, that simple designs use no more than three or four elements. It provides the designer the opportunity to add interest by establishing a relationship between, in some cases, three completely different elements. These elements require that a focal point be established. In this case, the orange “torso” bends left, seemingly zooming out of the picture “frame.” But the white torso curves everything back to center. The green figure adds a spark of contrast and purposely kept small. The font centers the entire design and gives it an "anchor" for visual weight.

Is that not wonderful? Go tell someone how much smarter you are.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Musical Colors


This icon was created in markers on ledger paper. Music notes present an interesting design in themselves. The grouping of notes allow the eye to follow along and vertical stems all give a sense of asymmetric balance. Depending on the complexity of the score, it may be as close as Americans can get to Japanese typography, which is a fine art in it's own right.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

More Missions Work




For my final installment of the abstract missions designs, we look at Africa, Central America and the Middle East. There is good use of repetition here. The circle and triangle get a workout in two of these. A half circle on Central America represents the flambouant purple dress over the shoulder, repeating the shape in the earring and sun. The triangle starts at the head covering and get slimmer as they move upward. For Africa, the nose bridge shadow dominates as a "white" square is applied. The large yellow sun contrasts and balances with the blue earring.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

From Russia (and Asia) with Love




One limitation, which proved too difficult to keep, was the use of primary colors. Secondary and intermediate colors where added in the mix. Another challenge was to do all this within a tight budget. All art was done in Illustrator then laser printed commercially. The final designs were twenty-four inches square with gray borders added. Then they were box-framed and displayed. All in all, an inexpensive outcome. One can only speculate how expensive this could have been if each were either silk screened or painted!

One of the more common traits of these designs is the "shadow" cast at the bridge of the nose. One of these designs uses a gray square while the other uses a triangle (half square) to accomplish this. One might question that the moustache is not a primary shape until you consider negative (white) space. The Russian sports a moustache made from two, overlapping black spheres, then two white spheres are placed "over" the black. Add a "white" triangle at the upper lip and wah-lah, a "primary" moustache.